204 Ruger load help???

[crittergitter]

Question from my buddy Big O. He has a Savage bolt gun in 204 Ruger that he can't get to shoot. He's accurized the gun but has decided it must be a powder issue. He is shooting several bullets in the 40-45 grain range and has tried several Hodgdon powders unsuccesfully. I suggested Reloader 7, 10x, and 12. Anyone care to share some pet loads and tricks to get this gun to shoot...he competes with Savages at 1000 yard comps so he knows what to do to the gun, just needs load suggestions.

 

[malcarjeb]

I am using WW 748 with great results with the 40 V-Max. The gun is a Savage 12 LVP. I have also had good results with Benchmark and the 32 V-Max.

 

[whitely]

I'd try different bullets, specifically the 39gr Sierra Blitzking. I've had good results with that bullet, 24.8gr Reloder 10x, Federal 205M primers, Hornady Brass, seated at 2.26". I have also had good results with H335, 26.7gr.

Have a look at Home of 204Ruger.com and RugerHunting.com!, under the loads. There is also a good forum on reloading where many people have posted a variety of loads - lots of Savage shooters. There aren't too many people shooting the heavy bullets in the .204 from what I have read, and most of the time when people have trouble finding a good load, the solution seems to involve switching bullets more often than not.

 

[linksmechanic]

Some .204's wont shoot the 40 grain bullets and some will. try lighter bullets. I use Blc-2 in mine.

 

[cabelas90]

I am very new to reloading and im going to start reloading my 204 with 32 grain v-max how much of a diffrence will 5 thousands of a inch in case length make? any help would be great!!

 

[canderson]

I use 27.1 gr of 4895 with a 40 gr berger in several different 204's. OAL about 2.25. The 39 blitzkings will usually shoot with the same load. I believe that the 40grs with a 1-12 twist are on the edge of being stabile. My gun will shoot the 35 a little better than the 40's but I am trying to shoot the 40's a lot farther. As always back off of my load and watch for pressure signs in your gun please.

 

[whitely]

I am very new to reloading and im going to start reloading my 204 with 32 grain v-max how much of a diffrence will 5 thousands of a inch in case length make? any help would be great!!

A little difference probably won't have much of an affect on accuracy, as long as you have square mouths, and the length still allows you to chamber the rounds. That said, I usually trim my brass to 1.840" as part of my case prep, and use the RCSB VLD deburring tool.

 

[cabelas90]

A little difference probably won't have much of an affect on accuracy, as long as you have square mouths, and the length still allows you to chamber the rounds. That said, I usually trim my brass to 1.840" as part of my case prep, and use the RCSB VLD deburring tool.

Thanks I didn't know how much of an effect on accuracy 5 thousands would make. I havent even been able to start reloading because my press is backorderd.

 

[260shooter]

I developed a load for a buddies AR-15 in 204. 39 gr Blitz King, 27.5 gr W-748, Win case and 7 1/2 primer. Easely a 1/2 MOA load. W-748 runs like water through a powder measure, so makes loading quick and easy.

260

 

[Coyboy]

Buy some win 748 and forget the rest, many have proved this to be the best powder for a 204. Excellent velocity and scary accurate in factory guns. My stock savage 11 with 24" light barrel regularily shoots 1/2 moa with 40 gr hornadys. Velocities meet/exceed the ACTUAL velocities of factory hornady ammo. Longest kill with that rifle/load is 565 yards on a prickly pig.

 

[gube204]

These are my pet loads.

35 bergers, 25.5 gr of RL-10X and 26.8 gr of benchmark
40 bergers and 40 V-max, 24.5 gr RL-10X and 25.5 gr of H-4895
39 sierra BK and 40 gr Nosler , 25 gr RL-10X and 27.5 gr of H-4895
32 V-max and 32 gr nosler, 26 gr RL-10X and 27 gr H-322 and Benchmark
26 gr varmint grenade, 26.3 gr RL-10X and 23.3 gr H-4198
45 gr hornady sp, 24.3 gr RL 10X

All of these loads will generally print out 1/2" groups or better out of both of my savage 204's.
These loads may not work in your gun so REMEMBER to start below these and work your way up at approx .2 to .3 gr at a time.

For yotes your best bet is to use the 35 and 40 gr bergers or the 45 gr Hornady sp's.
Wildcat makes a 38 gr hollow point that should be excellent for yotes as well. I am hoping to have some test loads of these soon and will probably be using them this season.

The ballistic tips will work for yotes as well, but if you hit bone they may splash and can produce some very large holes.

There are no factory loadings for bergers or wildcats in Canada. The Hornady SP's are available as factory made bullets and most 204's shoot them okay as their overall length is shorter than the 40 gr V-max.
Ideally you will want to re-load to get the most out of your 204 for accuracy and once you do you'll find it very addictive.

 

[RockZ]

27.0 gr, H4895 and 39blitzkings at 2.376" have been the best combo for my savage 204.
3 out of 4 hits on prairie dogs at 400yds and .352" 5shot group at 100yds.

27.9 I4895 at 2.380" gave same 100yd groups.

For me W748 didn't work very well.

Ramshot TAC seems to have potential and I will try it out soon.

 

[270VARMINT]

What's you take on cci magnum small rifle primers? I loaded a test batch tonight with h4895 and 39gr seirras along with some remington BR primers and some with magnum cci, we'll see what happens. I have been shooting store bought HSM ammo in 40 gr v-maxs and have been fairly happy. I guess I can't complain they smoked the coyote yesterday! Also has anyone used win 748 and is it a cleaner buring powder than h4895? Just curious cause it seems like it takes alot to clean the 204 compared to my 270?

 

[Gary Kaney]

My son has a Savage Mod. 12. I have yet to find a powder that will shoot the 32's . All i see is key holes on the target, or disinicrating bullets in flight. Thats with Sierras ,Hornady and Nosler, and i'm only loading in the 25 to 26 grn. range.